The S-57 data format used by NOAA (and other hydrographic services) to produce ENC and DNC charts (and available for downloading from various web sites) is constructed in such a way that direct interpretation of this data is not supported by The CAPN. In fact, all applications that read S-57 charts must perform some sort of conversion to display the chart. Some, like Maptech's Chart Navigator Pro can do this conversion on-the-fly.

As we continue to revise and improve The CAPN, we are planning to add the ability to convert S-57 charts directly in the software. In the meanwhile, we recommend the CAPN US DVD Set, which contains all the latest raster, vector (S-57), photo, and 3D charts for all US waters.